What is the environmental impact of geothermal energy?
Very low. Geothermal fluids can contain dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). These gases can be released when they are brought to the surface. However, geothermal plants do not produce any oxides of nitrogen (NOx) or sulphur dioxide (SO2). They also produce much less carbon dioxide (CO2) than gas, coal or oil-fired plants. Heat-pump installations are unobtrusive and noise- and pollution-free. They do release some carbon dioxide (from the electricity used to drive the compressor) but they have lower emissions than conventional gas or oil boilers. The power needed to drive the heat pump could come from renewable technologies.
